Maka Bana
Maka Bana Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Notice to Players
This booklet contains two sections.
- Rules of the basic game: Haapii Maka Bana.
- Optional advanced rules: Maka Bana Mao.
Make sure you read these rules carefully. To help in visualizing the various phases of the game, we recommend that you place the various components as you progress in the reading.
Content
- 1 board, presenting an island with 4 beaches and 39 spots for straw huts.
- 50 straw huts (10 in each of the 5 colors).
- 5 Tikis, totems keeping the sacred spots.
- 1 card "First Player"
- 65 cards, 5 sets of 13 cards: 4 beaches, 4 areas, 3 themes, 2 paints.
- 1 rulebook.
Number of Players
The following rules are for a 3 to 5 player game. The rules for a 2 player game are explained at the end of this booklet.
Maka Bana Island
Four beaches
Four large beaches can be found around Maka Bana island: Azzura, Bikini, Coquito and Diabolo. The limits of these beaches are represented by small dirt paths running around the island.
Four areas
On each beach, one can find 3 to 4 different areas, visible by the ground texture: Sand (light yellow), Grass (green), Rock (gray) and Lagoon (blue). The Bikini beach contains the four areas while other beaches only have three.
Three themes
On each area, straw huts can be build using 3 different themes. These themes represent the various specialties of the island. The fish is the symbol for scuba diving and the richness of the local fauna. The flower indicates the beauty of the surrounding tropical flora. Finally, the tattoo is a traditional art of the Pacific Islands and has been chosen as the ethnic symbol of the locals.
The beaches, areas and themes are visible on the cards of each players.
The spots are often grouped, close to one another. The groups can cross multiples areas or even multiple beaches.
The largest group can be found between the Diabolo and Bikini beaches. Each beach holds 4 spots of this group, that contains a total of 8 spots.
The following image shows another group of spots, situated between the Coquito and Diabolo beaches. The dirt path separates the beaches; the pier indicates the limit between the Rock area and the Sand area of the Diabolo beach. These separations only indicate the limit of beaches and areas and do not break group of huts.
Goal of the Game
The players are property developers that construct straw huts. At the end of the game, during the evaluation, each group of huts of the same color will be worth more points than isolated huts. Important bonuses will be awarded to the players holding a majority of huts in each of the 4 beaches.
The player with the most points at the end of the game will be named Tourism Director of Maka Bana!
Basic Principle of the Game
It is extremely simple! At each turn (representing a season), the players will perform the following actions:
- Each player secretly determines, using his cards, the location on which he wishes to build or repaint a straw hut.
- As a hint, he shows one of his cards to everybody.
- Using his Tiki, each player indicates a spot where it will be forbidden to build or repaint this turn.
- The constructed huts are placed on the board.
- If no endgame condition is reached, players take back their Tiki and begin a new season
Endgame: Each player score points for each of his huts. More points are awarded if huts are grouped or if he has the majority on a beach.
Maka Bana in 2 Steps
You can play Maka Bana in two different ways.
- In Haapii Maka Bana, the first step, each player courteously builds his straw huts, although it is possible to take the hut of an opponent.
- The second step, Maka Bana Mao, introduces fixed projects and denunciation.
It is recommended to play some gamed of Haapii Maka Bana before moving on the Maka Bana Mao. Each step is a complete and different game.
Setup
Place the board in the middle of the table.
Each player selects a color and receives:
- 10 straw huts of his color.
- 13 cards of his color.
- 1 Tiki.
Note: When there are only 3 players, the Bikini beach is not used. Everybody discards his "Bikini" card.
The unused huts, cards and tikis are placed back in the box. They will not be used during the game.
The player who most recently visited an island is the first player and receive the "First Player" card.
The game is played in multiple seasons. The first player starts the season then everybody plays in clockwise order. Everybody plays a phase before moving on to the next phase.
At the end of each season, the first player changes.
1st Step: Haapii Maka Bana
Playing the Game
The game is played in a number of seasons. Each season contains 5 phases:
- Secret selection of a project.
- Revealing hints.
- Placing Tikis.
- Execution of projects.
- End of the season.
At the end of a season, if the endgame conditions are not met, then the player on the left of the "first player" receives the "first player" card and starts the next season.
Details of a Season
1. Secret selection of a project
The government of Maka Bana allows a developer to construct or to take back one straw hut per season.
1.a. Construct a straw hut
A player that wishes to construct must submit a construction project that clearly identifies a spot. To do that, a player secretly selects 3 cards that designate the desired construction spot for his next hut:
- A beach (Azzura, Bikini, Coquito or Diabolo)
- An area (Grass, Rock, Sand or Lagoon)
- A theme (Flower, Fish or Tattoo)
No other combination of 3 cards is possible.
The player stacks his three cards face down and places them on the table.
Example: Mareva prepares the combination Azzura, Rock, Flower. She plans to construct a hut on the Rock Area of the Azzura Beach, on the spot indicated by a Flower Theme.
Attention: You cannot make a mistake in your project. An incorrect project (non-existing or already occupied spot, missing cards, extra cards, etc.) will be cancelled and you wont be allowed to complete the current season. Be careful, some areas are not available on each beaches. (For example, there is no Sand Area on Azzura Beach.)
1.b. Take back a straw hut
A player may wish to take back the hut of an opponent instead of constructing his own. He can do so using the Paint cards. Since each player has 2 Paint cards, he can only take back two huts during the game. However, it is likely that a player will not succeed on his first try!
A take back project is comprised of 4 cards. Three identifies the location of the straw hut of an opponent, in the same way as a construction project. The fourth card is a Paint card. The player stacks, face down, the first three cards. Over them, slightly tilted, he places one of his Paint card.
Example: Mareva prepares a take back project. Everybody will know, when she reveals her project, that she plans to repaint in blue (her color) the hut of an opponent. However, nobody will know the area, the theme, or the beach, until phase 2.
Note: At each season, a player must choose between a construction project or a take back project. A construction project indicates an empty spot while a take back project indicates the hut of an opponent.
Tip: Repainting an opponent's hut can be decisive. Make sure you do not spend you paint cards too early.
2. Revealing Hints
Every player simultaneously reveal 1 card of their project. The only visible hint for the project is the top card. The player is free to select the card that he places on top of his project.
In the case of a construction project, only one card is visible, the rest are hidden. Example: construction project on a Sand Area.
In the case of a take back project, one of the three cards is visible together with the paint card. Example: take back project on a hut of the Azzura Beach.
Extra examples:
Example 1: Mareva shows only the top card of her project, displaying a Rock Area. Everybody will know that she wants to construct on a Rock Area of a beach, but nobody will know for certainty on which beach or on which theme.
Example 2: Mareva prepared a construction project of the Bikini Beach, Rock Area, and Tattoo Theme. She must choose which card she will show on top of her stack in order to reveal as few indications as possible.
3. Placing Tikis
The Tikis are totems displaying Polynesian gods. The local customs forbid the construction or the painting of a hut on a sacred place, indicated by a Tiki.
During the third phase each player, in clockwise order starting from the first player, must place a Tiki.
There are 2 ways to play a Tiki:
- On an empty spot to forbid construction.
- Under one of your huts to forbid its painting.
3.a. Forbid Construction
A player can place his Tiki on an empty spot, forbidding any construction on this spot for every player: themselves as well as their opponent. A Tiki stays in place for all the current season.
Example: Mareva has revealed a Tattoo Theme as the top card of her construction project. Her opponents want to block her so they place Tikis on the Tattoo Theme spots of the Diabolo Beach, where they suspect she will want to build. They also occupie a Tattoo spot on the Coquito beach.
3.b. Forbid Painting
When at least one take back project is visible, that is, one player has a project showing a Paint card, a player that feels threatened can protect one of his construction. To do so, he can place a Tiki behind one of his hut to indicate clearly that it is forbidden to repaint this hut during this season.
It is forbidden to protect the hut of an opponent.
Tip: Try to guess where your opponents want to construct or take back huts. The visible card of their project, and the huts they have already placed are important hints that can help you to place your Tiki.
The player that successfully performs a take back project must discard his used paint card. Since a player only has 2 paint cards, it is impossible to successfully perform more than 2 take back projects during the same game.
If the take back project cannot be completed, the player places his paint card back in his hand.
Example: Mareva, the blue player, prepared a Take Back project for the Azzura Beach. She reveals the rest of her cards. She wanted to repaint the yellow hut on Azzura-Lagoon-Tattoo. Her opponent didn't suspect that so she can replace the yellow hut by one of her's.
Note: A player can present a take back project on an empty spot: either because he's mistaken or because he suspects that the spot will be taken once his turn will come to reveal his project. If the spot is still empty when a player must execute his project, then he is not allowed to place a hut. In order to construct a new hut, a player must use a construction project.
4. Execution of projects
Starting from the first player, and going clockwise, every player reveals all the cards of his project and, if possible, executes it.
4.a. Construction Project
The player reveals his 2 hidden cards. If he's lucky, no Tiki is present on his spot. If he's really lucky, none of the preceding player will have constructed a hut on this spot. A construction project can be executed if:
- The designated spot exists (and the card combination is valid, translator's note.)
- No Tiki are present on the designated spot.
- No hut is constructed on the designated spot.
If all these conditions are met, the player takes a hut from his reserve and places it on the designated spot.
Note: It is possible that a player is unable to execute his project because a preceding player has constructed a hut on the same spot during this season.
Example: Nobody has discovered the project of Mareva. The Bikini-Rock-Tattoo spot is free and she places one of her hut there.
4.b. Take Back Project
In the case of a take back project, the player already has 2 visible cards, including one paint card. He then reveals his 2 hidden cards. In order to execute a take back project, the following conditions must be met:
- The designated spot exists and the 4 card combination is valid.
- An opponent's hut is present at the designated spot.
- No Tiki are present on the designated spot.
If all these conditions are met, the player replaces the hut on the designated spot by one from his reserve. The removed hut goes back to the reserve of its owner.
Game has not Ended
If the game has not ended, the "first player" card goes to the player sitting to the left of its current owner. Each player takes back his Tiki and all his cards, except for the paint cards that have been successfully used. A new season then begins at Phase 1.
5. Season End
The season ends when every player has taken his turn trying to execute his project.
Game Ends
At the end of season, it is possible for the game to end or to continue for one last season:
- The game ends immediately if a player doesn't have any hut left in his reserve. This occurs when one player has successfully build his 10 huts.
- The game continues for one last season if one beach is completely occupied by huts or Tikis. (translator's note: this condition is the most frequent, do not forget that you must check for it before removing the Tikis.) When this condition is met, every player take his Tiki back and the game goes on for one last turn.
Example: At the preceding season, the Azzura Beach was filled: two Tikis were discovered on the two free spots. One last turn one played and the final result is the following:
No player was able to create a group of huts, therefore each isolated hut will be worth 1 point.
Yellow gets 6 points for his huts. He is tied with Blue for the greatest number of huts on Azzura Beach and receives a bonus of 2 points for a total of 8 points.
Blue gets 5 points for his huts. He has the sole majority on Coquito Beach and receives 4 points. Also, he's tied for majority with Yellow on Azzura Beach and receives 2 points more for a total of 11 points.
Green gets 5 points for his huts. He is alone with the greatest number of huts on Bikini Beach and Diabolo Beach. He receives a bonus 4 points for each of these beaches getting him a total of 13 points.
Red gets 5 points for his huts. He doesn't have the majority on any beach so he doesn't get any bonus. His total is therefore 5 points.
Yellow finished third even though he has the greatest number of huts. Green wins the game with only 5 huts because he was able to secure the majority on 2 beaches.
Final Scoring and Winner
After the game has ended, each player counts his points.
Points for Groups of Huts
A group is composed of one or many huts of the same color constructed on neighboring spots sharing one side. Two huts can be in the same group even if they are in different areas or beaches, or if they are separated by a pier or a dirt path. Two huts constructed on spots sharing one corner do not constitute a group.
In a group:
- The first hut is worth 1 point.
- The second hut is worth 2 points.
- The 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th huts are worth 3 points.
The following table indicates the total number of points for each possible group of huts.
| Number of huts in group | Total number of points |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 3 |
| 3 | 6 |
| 4 | 9 |
| 5 | 12 |
| 6 | 15 |
| 7 | 18 |
| 8 | 21 |
Bonus for Beaches
On each beach, the player having the greatest number of huts is determined. The groups play no part in this process. For each of the four beach:
- If one player has more huts than any of his opponents he gains 4 points.
- If two players tie for majority, they each gain 2 points.
- If three players or more are tied for majority, none of them gain any points.
Winner
The player with the greatest number of points gets the job of Tourism Director of Maka Bana and receives the Bikini Beach for his personal use! Congratulations!
The rules for Haapii Maka Bana ends here. You can now play your first game.
2nd Step: Maka Bana Mao
Haapii Maka Bana is easy to learn and can be played quickly. You should have a lot of fun playing it with your friends and family.
You are not required to go on to the 2nd step, Maka Bana Mao, that introduces fixed projects. You'll enjoy this version if you enjoy small frauds and denunciation. You've been warned! You still want to try?
History of the Fixed Projects
Overwhelmed by the number of tourists and property developers, the government of Maka Bana has been more tolerant when examining construction or take back projects. The developers took advantage of this opportunity to develop bad habits!
Sometimes, one or two pages were missing from a construction project. The government has accepted that the developer fill the pages at the time of construction. Witnessing that, some swindlers have taken the habit to hand incomplete projects, very useful to ease construction.
Other construction projects, or take back project, contained too many sheets. The government didn't care, letting the property developers construct or repaint anywhere, sometimes even twice in the same season!
Fortunately it is still possible to denunciate such practices! Be careful, in this case you must cheat less than the person you're denunciating otherwise your plan may backfire.
Two Types of Fixed Projects
Incomplete Construction Project
When you prepare a construction project, you can "forget" 1 or even 2 of the three cards. When your time comes to build, you can fill in freely the missing cards using cards from your hand. You will therefore be able to take into account the already occupied spots.
An incomplete construction project can never contain a paint card.
If an incomplete project contain 2 cards, they must indicate two different characteristics: beach and area, area and theme or beach and theme.
Even if the cards allow for it, the government doesn't tolerate more than 2 projects per developer per season.
Note: In Maka Bana Mao, a take back project must contain 4 cards or more and is considered an overloaded project. You cannot have an incomplete project to which you add a paint card. Also, you are not forced to show your paint card, as was required in Haapii Maka Bana. Only 3 cards projects are considered normal.
Example 1: Mareva has prepared a project containing only 2 cards: Tattoo and Sand. She didn't say whether she wanted to build on Bikini, Diabolo or Coquito beach (Azzura doesn't have a sand area). When her turn comes to play, she will be able to freely select the beach where she constructs a hut. She has 3 free spots, on each of the 3 beaches, to construct her hut.
Example 2: Mareva has prepared a project containing only Sand Area. She will be able to freely select the beach and the theme that are missing from her project. In this case, Mareva can choose from 4 different spots to construct her hut, since she's not restricted, as in the previous example, to the Tattoo Theme.
When you prepare a fixed project, either incomplete or overloaded, you must take care not to be denunciated by a jealous opponent!
Overloaded Project
When you prepare a construction or take back project that includes the 3 mandatory cards indicating a spot, you can overload it by placing extra cards. When your turn comes to construct or take back a hut, you can freely select a subset of your cards to create a valid project. You can even decide to execute up to 2 projects in a single season, depending on the case, either two constructions, two take backs, or one construction and one take back.
Normal Projects
Naturally, it is still legal to present a normal project, containing 3 cards. If you prepare a 3 cards project, you must absolutely present: one beach, one area and one theme. Any other combination of 3 cards is not valid.
Details of a Season
1. Secret selection of a project
Each player discreetly prepares a stack containing all the cards of his project and places it in front of him. This stack can contain anywhere between 1 and 13 cards! Only the first card of the project must be visible. It can be a paint card or any other card. The rest of the cards are neatly stacked, face down, under the top card. Each player hides his stack with his hand.
Example: Temanava wishes to repaint the hut of Mareva placed on Bikini beach, Fish Theme, Lagoon Area. She must prepare at least 4 cards: Bikini, Lagoon, Fish and Paint. She freely chooses the card that will be visible on top of her stack. Her project contains more than 3 cards and is therefore a fixed project that can be denunciated.
2. Revealing Hints
When all the players are ready, they simultaneously reveal their projects, from which only the top card is visible.
Denunciation
As soon as the projects are revealed, any player can denunciate one of his opponent, if he thinks he has an illegal project, that is an incomplete project with less than 3 cards or an overloaded project with more than 3 cards. To be valid, a denunciation must target an opponent cheating more than the player who denunciated him!
Note: A take back project with 4 cards was legal in Haapii Maka Bana but is now considered fixed in Maka Bana Mao and can be the object of a denunciation.
Only the first denunciation of a season is taken into account. It can be made by saying the player's name, by pointing him with your finger, or by any other mean. The smallest tiny hint of suspicion, expressed in any way, is considered as a denunciation. If you don't want to denunciate you must not move or talk!
Example: Mareva, who thinks that Temanava is presenting a project with more than 3 cards, is looking at him straight in the eyes while laughing silently. Even if she doesn't say a word, it still is a denunciation.
As soon as a denunciation has take place, there cannot be another one during the same season. The two players involved in the denunciation then count the number of cards in their project, spreading them on the table without turning them face up.
In the rest of these rules, to simplify the explanations, we will name Aata the player who performed the denunciation and Vaea the opponent who was denunciated.
Who is eliminated for the season?
The level of cheating is determined by the difference between the number of cards of a project and 3, the number of cards in a normal project. A stack of 5 cards cheats more than a stack of 4 cards, but as much as a stack of 1 card since, in both cases, the difference is of 2 cards.
- If the project of Vaea is cheating as much or less than that of Aata, he has been falsely denunciated. Aata is therefore eliminated from the current season.
- If the project of Vaea is cheating more than that of Aata, then the denunciation is valid and Vaea is eliminated from the current season. If Vaea had a paint card, then there is a special case and her paint will be used. It can be used for or against Vaea, depending whether he was able to or not to repaint a hut belonging to Aata.
Vaea, eliminated, was able to repaint a hut
If Vaea was eliminated when he could repaint at least one hut, then his paint will be used! Two cases are possible:
Vaea, eliminated, could repaint a hut belonging to Aata: Aata must be paid back! If Vaea could repaint a hut belonging to Aata, that is if it is possible to find in his project, along with the paint card, a set of 3 cards indicating a spot where Aata has a hut, then he has the right to be paid back! Aata freely repaints a hut belonging to Vaea, using the Vaea's paint. Aata freely chooses the hut that he's painting back. Vaea's paint is then discarded. This doesn't disrupt Aata's turn, and he will be able to execute his project when his turn comes.
Note: Aata has the right to use his opponent's paint only if Vaea was able to take back one of Aata's hut, even if Vaea swears that was not what he was planning to do.
Vaea, eliminated, could NOT repaint a hut belonging to Aata: Aata's not minding his business! If Vaea had a paint card that could repaint at least one hut but none belonging to Aata, then he has the right to be paid back since he wasn't threatening Aata! Although eliminated from the round, Vaea can repaint one hut belonging to Aata, and chosen by Aata. Vaea then discards his paint card.
Note: Vaea is not required to repaint the hut designated by Aata. He can decide to keep his paint card instead.
What does the eliminated player do?
The eliminated player, either Vaea or Aata, take back his cards (all but the paint card if it was used). He doesn't participate to the rest of the season: he wont be placing a Tiki and wont execute any project.
Nobody performs a denunciation
The denunciation isn't mandatory. If nobody wishes to denunciate, the "first player", after a reasonable delay, moves on to the next phase of the season.
3. Placing Tikis
Placement of the Tikis is done in the same way as in Haapii Maka Bana.
If a player has been eliminated, he doesn't place any Tiki during the season.
4. Execution of projects
The first player reveals his project.
Normal project
If the project contains exactly 3 cards designating an empty spot, the player build a hut.
Note: For a 3 card project to be valid, it must contain one beach, one area and one theme. Any other 3 card project is illegal and the player doesn't execute anything this season. For example, a project containing 2 areas and 1 beach would be illegal. Similarly, a project containing 1 beach, 1 theme and 1 paint card is illegal.
Example: Mareva, probably affected by a sun burn, has prepared a project with Azzura, Flower and Fish. Her 3 card project is illegal because it contains 2 themes. She will not be constructing anything this season!
Incomplete construction project
If the project contains exactly 2 cards, the player completes it up to 3 cards using the missing cards from his hand. Naturally, he tries to indicate an empty spot where he will be able to construct. If more than one valid spot can be indicated, the player freely selects which one he's interested in.
(Translator's note: Nothing is constructed in the case of an invalid 1 or 2 card project, that is a project either containing a paint card or containing 2 cards for the same characteristic.)
Example: Mareva has prepared a 2 card project: Bikini Beach and Lagoon Area. She freely chooses the Theme from her hand.
Overloaded project
If the project contains 4 cards or more, he combines 3 of these cards, as he wishes, to create a construction project. He can also group 4 cards, including a paint card, to create a take back project. The project is then executed. If it is a take back project, he discards the paint card used.
When possible, the player can execute a second project, either construction or take back. One or two cards from the first project can be reused in the second project.
Note: In order to perform 2 take back projects during the same season, a player must have prepared 2 paint cards and discard both of them. A player who has prepared 1 or 2 paint cards is not forced to use them, if he doesn't he takes them back in his hand.
Example 1: Keanu has prepared a project with the card Coquito on top of his stack. When he reveals it, it appears that the project contained 4 cards: Coquito, Sand, Lagoon and Fish. With these 4 cards, Keanu first makes a first valid 3 card project: Coquito, Lagoon and Fish. He constructs a hut at the indicated location. Still using his 4 cards, Keanu makes a second valid project: Coquito, Sand and Fish. He constructs a second hut during the same season.
Keanu can be proud of his move: he constructed 2 huts in a single season and created a group that will be worth 6 points… that is, if no paint goes this way before the end of the game!
Example 2: As in example 1, Keanu has prepared a project with the card Coquito on top of his stack. However, this time, when he reveals his project, it contains 5 cards: Coquito, Sand, Lagoon and Fish and Paint. As in example 1, Keanu first creates a valid 3 card project: Coquito, Lagoon and Fish. He constructs a hut at the indicated location. As in example 1, Keanu then creates a take back project using his 5 cards: Coquito, Sand, Fish and Paint. He repaints yellow the red hut of his opponent. He then discards his paint card.
A player setting up a fixed project doesn't always have that much luck. It happens, even with a lot of cards, that no card combination allows to create any construction or take back project.
Next player
After a player has executed his project, or after he has made sure he couldn't execute it, the other players then do the same in clockwise order. If a player was eliminated, he skips his turn.
5. Season End
The victory condition are the same as in the first step, Haapii Maka Bana.
Maka Bana for 2 Players
Haapii Maka Bana and Maka Bana Mao can be played with 2 players. To do so, they each take the place of 2 players and the game plays as a if 4 players were involved.
Each player takes 2 series of cards and huts. They sit at a right angle, for example one player on south and one on east. The player on south plays with one color in south and one color in north. His opponent uses one color in east and one in west.
The game plays as a 4 player game. The "first player" moves from one color to the next in clockwise order. Each player prepares two projects, one for each of his color. Be careful not to build on the same spot!
During phase 3, a denunciator must announce the color that is denunciating and the color that is denunciated. These 2 projects will be compared to decide which one is eliminated. At the end of the game, points for the 4 colors are counted separately and summed for each player.
Credits
The author wishes to thank the many friends and players who helped in the design and testing of Maka Bana. "Special thanks to Didier Panthout who believed in Maka Bana and has communicated his enthusiasm, to Johann Aumaître who transformed a simple prototype in a paradise island and to Matthieu d'Epenoux, always by my side, even when I doubted. No player was harmed during the making of Maka Bana."
Maka Bana is a game edited by:
Parc de l'Événement 1 allée d'Effiat 91160 Longjumeau France.
- Author: François HAFFNER
- Testing and development: TILSIT Team
- Graphics and sculpture: Johann AUMAÎTRE
- Prototype: Tilsit Studio
Made in France
TILSIT Éditions 2003 www.tilsit.fr
Translated by Philippe Beaudoin, March 2004. Based on the original online rules by François Haffner.